We set up the MSF Access Campaign in 1999 to push for access to, and the development of, life-saving and life-prolonging medicines, diagnostic tests and vaccines for people in our programmes and beyond.

Based in Brussels, MSF Analysis intends to stimulate reflection and debate on humanitarian topics organised around the themes of migration, refugees, aid access, health policy and the environment in which aid operates.

Our medical guidelines are based on scientific data collected from MSF’s experiences, the World Health Organization (WHO), other renowned international medical institutions, and medical and scientific journals.

Evaluation Units have been established in Vienna, Stockholm, and Paris, assessing the potential and limitations of medical humanitarian action, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of our medical humanitarian work.

Providing epidemiological expertise to underpin our operations, conducting research and training to support our goal of providing medical aid in areas where people are affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or excluded from health care.

A collaborative, patients’ needs-driven, non-profit drug research and development organisation that is developing new treatments for neglected diseases, founded in 2003 by seven organisations from around the world.

Ebola and Marburg

A health worker in protective clothing carries a girl suspected of having Ebola in the MSF treatment centre on 05 October 2014 in Paynesville, Liberia.

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Ebola and Marburg haemorrhagic fevers are rare but deadly, spreading fear and panic. Caring for infected patients and affected communities is crucial for a response to be effective.

Outbreaks can kill 25 to 90 per cent of those infected. No cure exists and treatment is currently mainly symptomatic. MSF has intervened in almost all reported outbreaks over the past years. The 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic in West Africa was unprecedented: 67 times the size of the largest previously recorded outbreak, it reached urban areas, and killed more than 11,300 people. Hundreds of health workers died, decimating the already-struggling healthcare systems of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Once a case of Marburg or Ebola is confirmed, a swift response is vital. The needs of patients and affected communities must remain at the heart of the response, which can be defined by six main pillars : care and isolation of patients; tracing and follow up of patient contacts; raising community awareness of the disease such as how to prevent it and where to seek care; conducting safe burials; proactively detecting new cases; and supporting existing health structures.

Diagnosing Ebola or Marburg is difficult because early symptoms, such as fever and sore throat, are common to many illnesses. A patient presenting early symptoms should be cared for and isolated to prevent further risk of infection to relatives and care takers. Public health professionals should be notified and a laboratory test must be carried out to confirm a diagnosis. Such tests are an extreme biohazard risk and should be conducted under maximum biological containment conditions.

There is no specific treatment for Ebola or Marburg haemorrhagic fevers. Standard care is limited to supportive therapy, such as hydrating the patient, nutritional support, providing fever and pain medication, and drugs to reduce vomiting and diarrhoea. Other diseases the patient may have such as malaria or sepsis, should also be treated. Patients should be isolated to prevent infecting others. Psychological support should be provided to help patients and families.

Ebola and Marburg

How does MSF care for patients suffering from Ebola?

Voices from the Field21 Jan 2015

Ebola and Marburg

How does MSF care for patients suffering from Ebola?

Human to human transmission occurs through contact with bodily fluids of an infected person or through surfaces contaminated with these fluids. Infection control in health centres is vital to reduce risks for other patients, for caregivers and health workers. Those caring for infected patients must wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Direct contact with the deceased can transmit the virus, so burial teams also use PPE, and safe burials must be carried out in a dignified manner for family members.

In the wake of the 2014-2015 West Africa Ebola epidemic, an investigational vaccine was developed that can help control an outbreak. The vaccine is currently being trialled in an Ebola outbreak in the DRC, as part of the overall strategy to control the epidemic. MSF is vaccinated Ebola frontline workers and patient contacts in remote communities in Bikoro, Equateur Province. Participation is voluntary and the vaccine is free.

24 year old Ebola survivor Aminata undergoes an eye test with MSF health promoter Joseph during an MSF outreach mission the village of Mabekoh. Koroma survived the disease after being treated by MSF in Kailahun, but four members of her family died.

06Caring for survivors

Survivors often face stigma and are ostracised from their communities. This, and the trauma of having lived through such a deadly disease, often requires counselling. People may experience ongoing physical side-effects, such as joint pain, headaches and eye problems that require treatment and follow up. MSF established Ebola survivor centres in three worst-affected countries after the West Africa epidemic.

Ebola: Pushed to the limit and beyond

Antimalarial drug reduced patient mortality by 31%

Killer Diseases

DRC 2018 Ebola outbreak

On 1 August 2018, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of Ebola in the northeast.

Africa

Liberia

The West African Ebola outbreak of 2014–2015 took a severe toll on the Liberian health system, which was already fragile and suffering from inadequate medical infrastructures.

5,900

patients admitted to hospital

4,500

patients treated for malaria

1,700

patients in inpatient feeding programmes

Africa

Guinea

While Guinea has a relatively low prevalence of HIV, at around 1.7 per cent, the country has one of the worst treatment coverage rates in the world, with only one in four people living with HIV receiving antiretrovirals (ARVs).

10,900

patients treated for HIV

7,900

patients treated for malaria

2,800

patients admitted to hospital

Crisis Settings

Epidemics and pandemics

Millions of people still die each year from infectious diseases that are preventable or can be treated.

Africa

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone was finally declared Ebola-free on 17 March 2016 and the country is now struggling to rebuild its shattered health system.

38,300

patients treated for malaria

14,500

antenatal consultations

4,200

postnatal consultations

Medical Resource

MSF Field Research

We produce important research based on our field experience. So far, we have published articles in over 100 peer-reviewed journals. These articles have often changed clinical practice and have been used for humanitarian advocacy. All of these articles can be found on our dedicated Field Research website.